(12/16/07 - Initial BBT Report)

Clayton Pruett, 25, a substitute teacher and wrestling coach at Bullitt Central High School in Shepherdsville, Kentucky and a youth minister at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church has been arrested on allegations of the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.

Pruett came to the attention of authorities when the girl’s mother went to the Bullet County Sheriff’s office after her daughter told her of the alleged sexual abuse.

Allegedly Pruett sexually abused the girl for more than a year at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

The girl’s mother says that she informed the Pastor at Pleasant Grove several months ago of the sexual abuse. When asked about the allegation on the part of the girls mother Pastor Von Smith denied it, saying “Nothing was reported of any sexual misconduct and such, until in the past few days, when we had gotten that word”.

Pruett, who has worked at the school since February of this year, has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Preutt has been charged with with first degree sexual abuse and his bond was set at $100,000 cash.

01/29/08 - Charges Dismissed

Sexual-abuse charges against Clayton Pruett were dismissed after an investigator failed to show up for a probable-cause hearing. Reportedly the investigator was called to Illinois for a family emergency.

A sheriff’s office spokesperson indicated that the department may continue with the case and submit it to a grand jury.

07/29/08 - Accuser: Sex abuse allegations were all made up

The mother of the accuser signed that statement today, clearing the name of Pastor Clayton Pruett.

Reportedly the mother is Debra Johnson and until recently she was a member of the Bullitt County School Board.

In a signed statement filed in court it says Debra Johnson’s complaints to police about Pruett abusing her daughter were false.

Pruett has been rehired by the Bullit County Schools.

References:

Youth Minister Talks About Sex Abuse Accusations (07/31/08)

Accuser: Sex abuse allegations were all made up (07/29/08)

Sex charges against Bullitt youth pastor dismissed (1/29/08)

Wrestling coach arrested on sexual abuse charges (12/14/07)

A Bullitt County youth pastor faces sexual abuse charges (12/14/07)

(10/16/07 - Initial BBT Report)

Michael F. Colvett, a band directory at Marshall County High School, in Benton, Kentucky has been arrested on a single count of unlawful transaction with a minor.

The parents of a 16-year-old female student reported to police that they suspected an inappropriate relationship between Colvett and their daughter. The alleged relationship reportedly first came to the parents attention back in February at which time Colvett was allegedly warned by both the parents and the school administration that he should only have contact with her for school matters.

Reportedly the girl’s father recently found personal text messges, emails and records of late night phone calls between the band director and his daughter and the girl allegedly claims she had a sexual encounter with Colvett.

Following his arrest Colvett was released on $2,500 bond.

Reportedly he remains an employee of the school where he is extremely popular with students and has led the band to national recognition and some of his former students have started a Web site in support of Colvett and dozens have signed up on a Facebook page called “Supports the Colvett’s”.

11/07/07 - Not Guilty Plea

Michael Colvett through his attorney has entered a not guilty plea to the charge of unlawful transaction with a minor.

A pre-trial conference has been set for December 14th.

12/18/07 - Grand Jury Indicted

A grand jury indicted Michael F. Clovett on on charges of rape, tampering with physical evidence, sexual abuse and unlawful transaction with a minor.

He was arrested by Kentucky State Police and is being held on $25,000 cash bond.

1/08/08 - Not Guilty Plea

Michael colvett has entered a not guilty plea to charges alleging that he had sex with a teenage student.

4/02/08 - Colvett Enters Alford Plea

Michael Clovett has agreed to a plea deal under which he entered an Alford plea to a felony count of tampering with evidence and two misdemeanor counts of second-degree sexual abuse. An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgment that there is enough evidence for a conviction.

As a result of the plea deal prosecutors dropped charges of rape and unlawful transaction.

At sentencing, Colvett faces up to one year in prison.

He will be required to give up his teaching license and to register as a sex offender.

06/18/08 - Sentencing

Last Friday Michael Colvett was sentenced to two years probation.

He will not be required to serve any jail time but will be required to register as a sex offender.

As conditions of probation Colvett cannot have contact with anyone under 18, he must continue counseling and he must perform 200 hours of volunteer work.

This is another case in which we apologize for missing a critical update. The fact that Michael Clovett had been sentenced was brought to our attention by a reader and for that we are very appreciative as always - Webmaster

References:

Colvett Given Two Years Probation (06/13/08)

Former Band Teacher Faces Year In Prison On Sex Abuse Charges (04/02/08)

Band director pleads not guilty in sex case (1/08/08)

Band Director Indicted on Rape Charges
(12/18/07)

Teacher Pleads Not Guilty To Misdemeanor (11/07/07)

Band teacher arrested for inappropriate relationship with student (10/16/07)

Teacher Accused of Inappropriate Relationship with Student (10/16/07)

(06/06/08 - Initial BBT Report)

James B. Skaggs, 62, a former teacher at West Point Independent School in Hardin County, Kentucky has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for sodomizing an eighth grade student in a class he taught three decades ago.

Skaggs was convicted in a jury trial in April on four counts of third degree sodomy for the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old student.

The sexual abuse started in 1977 and continued in 1978.

Skaggs moved on from West Point and became superintendent of the Cloverport schools in Breckinridge County, Kentucky.

At his sentencing hearing Skaggs asked for probation but was sent to prison and required to complete sex offender treatment prior to being released. Skaggs will be required to register as a sex offender.

References:

Former teacher convicted of sodomy (06/06/08)

(06/02/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Tommy Thornton, 37, a former metal shop teacher and boys’ basketball coach at West Vigo High School in West Terre Huate, Indiana has been arrested and charged with child seduction, attempted child seduction and public indecency all allegations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old female student.

Thorton was arrested on May 22nd and was subsequently released from jail on $15,000 bail later the same day. As a condition of bond Thorton is required to stay off school property.

It is alleged that Thorton exposed himself to the girl and asked her to touch him.

Thorton is also accused of fondling and rubbing up against the girl on separate occasions.

Thornton verbally resigned from West Vigo High School on April 24th and subsequently folled up with an email resignation on April 28th.

Thorton is scheduled to go to trial on the charges in October.

References:

Ex-teacher charged with sexual misconduct (05/22/08)

Former West Vigo teacher appears in court (05/22/08)

Former West Vigo Teacher In Court (05/22/08)

West Vigo basketball head coach steps down (04/28/08)

(05/23/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Kevin Holladay, 42, a drama teacher at Bardstown High School in Bardstown, Kentucky has been arrested on charges of sexual abuse and unlawful transaction with a 15-year-old female student.

His wife Marta Holladay, 34, also a teacher at the school is charged with assaulting the same female student on school property.

Kevin Holladay is alleged to have kissed the teenage girl inappropriately, including on the bare breast, as well as trying to rip the girl’s clothes off. Kevin Holladay is charged with felony unlawful transaction with a minor and misdemeanor sexual abuse. Reportedly Kevin Holladay was being held in jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Marta Holladay is alleged to have grabbed the student by the hair, screamed obscenities at her and then pushed her. Marta Holladay faces misdemeanor assault charges and has bonded out of jail.

Reportedly the investigation into Kevin Holladay’s actions against the student started late last year and continued until this week at which time the case progressed to the point that both Holladays were arrested.

Reportedly Marta Holladay has been a full time employee of the school for five years and Kevin Holladay has been a part-time employee for three years. Both resigned from the school last month, effective at the end of the current school year. Both are now prohibited from coming on school property.

References:

Married Teachers Face Assault, Sexual Abuse Charges (05/23/08)

Part-time drama coach charged with sexually inappropriate behavior (05/23/08)

Drama Coach, Wife Charged With Student Sex Abuse, Clash (05/23/08)